Apple today announced that the U.S. will soon allow residents to add their driver's licence or state ID to the Wallet app for the iPhone and Apple Watch. Apple announced that Arizona and Georgia are the first states to support this feature. Connecticut, Iowa and Kentucky will follow. Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Oklahoma and Utah will also be supported.
Apple announced that TSA security checkpoints at participating U.S. airports would be the first places where customers will be able to present their mobile driver’s license or state ID through the Wallet app. The TSA and participating states will provide more details at a later time about when and where mobile drivers' licenses and IDs can be used.
According to Jennifer Bailey (Apple's vice president for Apple Pay and Apple Wallet), Apple is in talks with several more states to provide the feature in the future. However, no timeline was given.
iOS 15 will soon make it possible to add a driver’s license or ID into the Wallet app. This feature will be made public later in the year. Customers will be able tap the plus sign in the Wallet app to add their ID or license. Then, they can simply tap their iPhones or Apple Watches on an identity reader at a TSA Checkpoint to verify their card.
Apple claimed that the feature was designed to protect privacy and secure data. Customers will need to take a picture of themselves when adding a driver's licence or state ID card to the Wallet App. This will be securely sent to the issuing state for verification. Apple also stated that users will be asked to perform a series facial and head movements as part of the setup process.
Customers will be prompted to tap their iPhone or Apple Watch onto an identity reader. This prompt will display the requested information by the TSA. Apple claims that the requested information can only be released to customers after they have authorized Face ID or Touch ID. The company stated that users don't need to show their device or unlock it to present their ID.
Apple stated that its mobile ID implementation supports ISO 18013-5 standards, which establish clear privacy guidelines for the presentation of an ID via a mobile device.
This new feature expands upon the Wallet app’s support for student IDs at selected colleges and universities in the U.S.A. and Canada.
